Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Archbishop George Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha and Appoints Bishop Michael McGovern as Successor
Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Archbishop George Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha; Appoints Bishop Michael McGovern as Successor
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop George J. Lucas, 75, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Omaha, and has appointed Bishop Michael G. McGovern of Belleville, as his successor.
March 31, 2025
WASHINGTON – Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop George J. Lucas, 75, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Omaha, and has appointed Bishop Michael G. McGovern of Belleville, as his successor.
he resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, D.C. on March 31, 2025, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
The Archdiocese of Omaha is comprised of 14,051 square miles in the State of Nebraska and has a total population of 1,035,885, of which 241,011, are Catholic.
### Source: USCCB
The Most Reverend Michael McGovern: A Biography
Most Reverend Michael McGovern was born on July 1, 1964 in Evergreen Park, Illinois.
He is the youngest child of the late Joseph and Eleanor McGovern.
Bishop McGovern grew up in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago where many of his family members continue living.
The McGovern family was active in Christ the King Parish and all of the children attended Christ the King Grammar School. Activities during grammar school included being an altar server at Christ the King.
Bishop McGovern then attended St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.
During high school, he served as a Lector both at St. Ignatius and at his home parish, Christ the King.
Bishop McGovern attended Loyola University in Chicago (1982-86). At Loyola University he was invited to participate in the Honors Program and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in 1986.
After graduating from Loyola University, Bishop McGovern worked for four years before applying for admission as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Chicago at Mundelein Seminary. He was awarded a Baccalaureate degree in Theology in 1993 and a Master of Divinity in 1994.
On May 21, 1994, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin ordained Father Michael McGovern to the priesthood in Holy Name Cathedral. He served as an Associate Pastor at Queen of the Universe Parish, St. Mary in Lake Forest and St. Juliana in Chicago.
On December 15, 2004, Cardinal Francis George appointed Father McGovern Pastor of St. Mary in Lake Forest.
On July 1, 2016, Cardinal Blase Cupich appointed Father McGovern Pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in Old Mill Creek, Illinois.
On July 22, 2020, Cardinal Blase Cupich ordained and installed Bishop McGovern as the Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Belleville in the Cathedral of St. Peter
Bishop McGovern has also served in administrative roles in the Archdiocese of Chicago: Vice-Chancellor, Archbishop’s Delegate for Extern & International Priests, Vicar Forane, and Interim Vicar of Vicariate I. Bishop McGovern has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Ignatius College Prep (2013-2019). He is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Since 2021, Bishop McGovern serves as the State Chaplain for the Illinois Knights of Columbus.
He presently serves on the Board of Advisors for Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois and Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He is a member of the USCCB Subcommittee for Healthcare issues.
Bishop McGovern resides at the Rectory of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville, Illinois.
https://www.diobelle.org/our-bishop/biography
The Archdiocese of Omaha is comprised of 14,051 square miles in the State of Nebraska and has a total population of 1,035,885, of which 241,011, are Catholic.
### Source: USCCB
The Most Reverend Michael McGovern: A Biography
Most Reverend Michael McGovern was born on July 1, 1964 in Evergreen Park, Illinois.
He is the youngest child of the late Joseph and Eleanor McGovern.
Bishop McGovern grew up in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago where many of his family members continue living.
The McGovern family was active in Christ the King Parish and all of the children attended Christ the King Grammar School. Activities during grammar school included being an altar server at Christ the King.
Bishop McGovern then attended St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.
During high school, he served as a Lector both at St. Ignatius and at his home parish, Christ the King.
Bishop McGovern attended Loyola University in Chicago (1982-86). At Loyola University he was invited to participate in the Honors Program and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in 1986.
After graduating from Loyola University, Bishop McGovern worked for four years before applying for admission as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Chicago at Mundelein Seminary. He was awarded a Baccalaureate degree in Theology in 1993 and a Master of Divinity in 1994.
On May 21, 1994, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin ordained Father Michael McGovern to the priesthood in Holy Name Cathedral. He served as an Associate Pastor at Queen of the Universe Parish, St. Mary in Lake Forest and St. Juliana in Chicago.
On December 15, 2004, Cardinal Francis George appointed Father McGovern Pastor of St. Mary in Lake Forest.
On July 1, 2016, Cardinal Blase Cupich appointed Father McGovern Pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in Old Mill Creek, Illinois.
On July 22, 2020, Cardinal Blase Cupich ordained and installed Bishop McGovern as the Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Belleville in the Cathedral of St. Peter
Bishop McGovern has also served in administrative roles in the Archdiocese of Chicago: Vice-Chancellor, Archbishop’s Delegate for Extern & International Priests, Vicar Forane, and Interim Vicar of Vicariate I. Bishop McGovern has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Ignatius College Prep (2013-2019). He is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Since 2021, Bishop McGovern serves as the State Chaplain for the Illinois Knights of Columbus.
He presently serves on the Board of Advisors for Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois and Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He is a member of the USCCB Subcommittee for Healthcare issues.
Bishop McGovern resides at the Rectory of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville, Illinois.
https://www.diobelle.org/our-bishop/biography
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